Kevin Durant Devin Booker
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HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets drives against Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Toyota Center on January 05, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
A clutch shot by Kevin Durant in the final second gave the Houston Rockets an important victory over the Phoenix Suns. Rockets center Alperen Sengun missed the game due to injury, but Durant’s heroics allowed them to start this stretch without him with some optimism. The tied game saw Durant swishing a three-point shot over defender Royce O’Neale to pull off a win against his former team.
Durant made more news after the game by discussing the thrill of beating a team that “scapegoated” him before the trade to Houston:
“A place that I didn’t want to leave. And my first time being… I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but I will, being kicked out of a place, you know what I’m saying? It felt like I’ve been scapegoated for all the issues we had as a team last year, hell yeah, it felt good to beat them and hit a game-winning shot over them.”
The comment showed Durant providing a very honest perspective about feeling unhappy over how the Suns era ended. Durant acknowledged that this was the first time in his lengthy NBA career where he had no control over a team sending him away. The game-winner shot was extra satisfying, and he didn’t shy away from admitting that.
Why Kevin Durant Enjoyed Beating Suns
Last season was a nightmare for the Suns putting together the “big three” of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to not even make the postseason. Phoenix received strong basketball play from Durant, but the team never gelled to become a true contender.
Durant seemingly got the blame since the Suns opted to trade him last offseason and rebuild a new roster around Booker. Beal was also moved, but his standing in the league has dropped to make him less of a factor compared to the other two.
The post-game interview saw Durant revealing that he felt the organization blamed him by starting the trade talks of moving him to another team before he was ready. Durant made this the first time he publicly acknowledged that he didn’t want to leave until the team forced him out with some blame along the way.
Did The Suns Disrespect Kevin Durant?
Durant provided a glimpse into his thought process as a superstar for decades in the league by feeling a little bitter over a team finally giving up on him. All three previous teams of Durant either lost him in free agency or moved him via a trade after his own request.
Phoenix ultimately made the right move and somehow improved their roster by replacing Durant with Dillon Brooks and other strong role players. Jalen Green is the top player that the Suns received, but he’s only played two games this season due to injury.
Brooks helping change the culture and other young talents breaking out have led to more victories for Phoenix than this time last year. The Suns shocked Durant by not wanting him to remain on the roster, but an improved season with less overall talent shows the vision was correct.